Apple Butter Making - A Fall Tradition

Produced in the fall as a way to preserve part of the apple crop, apple butter was historically a community project – bringing families and neighbors together each fall. Again this year, guests of all ages will gather to celebrate this time-honored fall tradition at Sauder Village (Wed. Sept. 21 – Sat. Sept. 24).

The highlight of the week takes place in the 1910 Homestead where the delicious apple butter is made. Guests can enjoy apple schnitzing demonstrations in the homestead cellar and then watch as gallons of apple cider and bushels of the thinly sliced apples are simmered over an open fire and stirred until the mixture reduces to form the thick, sweet spread.

“For our ancestors, surviving the winter was really a year ‘round activity,” shared Andi Erbskorn, curator of education. “Crops were planted, food was harvested, meat was hunted and all was preserved with an eye towards the long winter months ahead. That’s what our costumed staff focuses on in the fall, especially during our Apple Butter Making Week.”

Another way to preserve apples was to press them into cider. Throughout the week the historic wooden press will be put to use to make apple cider. The apple cider is then used in the historic village to make apple butter as well as later on to make vinegar and jellies. There will be many other apple-related activities taking place throughout the week as well. Guests can try packing apples in barrels for winter storage and watch apple cooking demonstrations in some of the historic homes. New this year, guests can also watch as costumed guides make apple pectin – the ingredient that makes jelly “gel”. Apple cores and peels are boiled to make syrup which is then added to fruits to make jams and jellies.

We hope you’ll join us for this fun-filled autumn event at Sauder Village! If you’d like to try making some apple butter in your home, here’s a recipe we often share with teachers looking to continue the experience in their classroom! Why not do the same thing with your children at home – try making some apple butter in your own kitchen. Enjoy!

Aunt Vicky's Crock-pot Apple Butter... a modern version of a traditional rural favorite

2 c. cider
10 c. unsweetened applesauce ***
3 c. sugar
1 t. cinnamon
1/4 t. allspice

Reduce cider to 1 cup by boiling it. Combine and stir all ingredients in crock-pot and cook uncovered 6 to 8 hours on high setting. Let your children take turns stirring so that the apple butter doesn't burn.

The amount of moisture in the applesauce determines when the apple butter will be done. To tell when it is finished, spoon some on a saucer. If juice runs out, it is not done.

*** To make the applesauce: Macintosh apples and apple juice work best. You may need (6) 3 lb. bags of apples to make 10 cups of sauce. The day before you plan on making the apple butter, cook the sliced and cored apples in some apple juice in a crock-pot until soft and put through a sieve.

This fresh apple butter is best on homemade bread. Delicious!

As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, Sauder Village is excited about this special time in our history. We reflect on the many things that make Sauder Village such a remarkable destination . . . our continued commitment to history, hospitality, creativity and fun.

To help commemorate this special occasion we have created a special page on our website that highlights the many wonderful things we have accomplished over the years. The sections include a story about our 35th Anniversary, a Timeline that shares how Sauder Village evolved over the past 35 years, Our People section highlighting some of the special people that have helped over the years and the Media section that shares newspaper articles sharing stories from the past.

Click here to view our 35th Anniversary Page. We hope you enjoy this special section of our website and will make plans to join us yet this fall for a memorable get-away!

Cheers of "Huzza" will fill the air!

This weekend we are thrilled to be hosting our first “Vintage Base Ball Invitational” at Sauder Village. On Saturday afternoon (July 30th), guests can watch as the great Black Swamp Frogs from Toledo, the Ohio Village Muffins of Columbus, along with the Spiegel Grove Squires from Fremont take the field for a vintage base ball tournament using rules from the late 19th century.

Wondering what those rules and customs might be? We thought we’d help you get ready for the games by sharing just a bit of history as well as some rules and customs from the 1860s.

The New York Knickerbockers, the first club to write down the rules of what has become modern baseball, organized their team in 1845 in the Lower Manhattan area of New York City. Base ball soon began to spread with other clubs forming along the East Coast. The Civil War promoted the growth of the game as soldiers played base ball for recreation in their free time in camp. When the war was over, dozens of new clubs were formed throughout the Midwest. The emphasis in the early game was on courtesy among the gentlemen and occasionally, ladies. Historically only a few rules governed a match with the rest left up to the players’ sense on honor and good sportsmanship. Club players conducted themselves in a sportsmanlike manner that created an atmosphere where spectators cheered for good plays by either team.

Historically (and this weekend at Sauder Village), the fans cheer teams on with loud "huzzas" for a good play by either side and running to first would be urged by, "Leg it, leg it, leg it." Hand shakes from opponents and a good word are earned by a ballist making an exceptional play. We hope you'll join us this weekend for fun-filled Vintage Base Ball Invitational at Sauder Village!

Want to learn more about Rules of the 1860s and customs of the time? Visit the Ohio Village Muffins website!

Historic Gardens

Ask Susan Burkhart to name her favorite garden at Sauder Village, and she’s hard-pressed to choose just one. “All of the gardens have a unique story,” she said, “Each one was designed to depict the family who lives in the adjacent home.”

Responsible for the design and maintenance of ten gardens throughout the Village, Susan has meticulously researched the plants that would have comprised gardens of the 1800s. “The white cucumbers are harvesting now, and the ground cherries will be coming in a few weeks,” she noted.

Many plants have come from heirloom seeds given to us by our guests. “Often, families will have seeds that have been passed down from generations, for varieties of plants that are not readily available today. We welcome seeds that people share with us, and guests enjoy seeing their families’ plants growing in our gardens,” she reports.

On your next visit to Sauder Village, be sure to spend a few moments enjoying the traditional gardens, taking a horticultural tour through time.

By Dawn Hauter, Special Events Coordinator

Canning jars were set on fence posts of the gardens of yesteryear. Heat from the sun sterilized the jars and the gardener could easily see how many jars were available for canning produce.

Pot marigolds were a frequent addition to gardens of the past, their petals were made into dye that would be used for fabric, and even to color butter.

Some question why we allow plants to go to seed, when modern gardeners snip their plants to avoid it. Historically, some plants were allowed to go to seed as the seeds were needed to plant future crops.

Flowers graced vegetable gardens of the past, bringing in bees that would pollinate the plants. This saved the lady of the house the chore of hand-pollinating the plants. Flowers served a dual purpose, as they were then dried, to be used as Christmas decorations later in the year.

Named because they grow close to the ground rather than in trees, ground cherries produce a seedy, marble-sized fruit that was used to make jams and pies.

Grown for their medicinal properties, herbs were commonly planted in family gardens of long ago. Fennel, Chamomile, and other herbs grace the borders of this garden.

Children are encouraged to explore the garden at Little Pioneers Homestead, learning how food goes from garden to dinner table.

White cucumbers and squash are ready to harvest.

The pumpkin patch will be filled with large Connecticut Field Pumpkins this fall.

Naturalization Ceremony - A Meaningful Way to Celebrate Independence Day

We are so excited to be hosting the Citizenship Naturalization Ceremony of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, July 4, 2011. Fifty-eight immigrants will become United States citizens on this day, the 235th anniversary of our nation’s independence. Requirements that these people have fulfilled to get to this last step in the process include having been a legal resident of the United States for at least 5 years, passing a background check, and taking a test on how our government works.

Sauder Village is the perfect setting for this ceremony, because every day we tell the stories of the early settlers who came from Europe and settled here. Although times have changed, and we think today’s immigrants have it easy compared to those who came earlier, we know that they have faced obstacles and have had to make tough decisions just like our early settlers did. At some point those pioneers had to decide to leave a way of life they knew, to come to a country which they were unfamiliar with, and to learn a new way of life. Like them, these new citizens had to leave their extended families and friends and “start over”. They bring with them rich ingredients from their many cultures, which enrich our culture and make our country what it is today. The immigrant story is repeated with these 58 people from 34 different countries continuing to come and settle here.

The ceremony is one that every American should witness at some point in their lives. It is the best way to celebrate our Independence and to appreciate the wonderful country that is ours. It truly is an experience you’ll never forget.

For more information about the 4th of July Holiday Weekend at Sauder Village visit our website!

By Kris Jemmott, Director of Historic Village Operations

Sauder Village 35th Anniversary!

The sound of children’s laughter from a horse-drawn carriage. The smell of biscuits baking in a wood-fired stove. The ring of a hammer striking the anvil and the sight of families gathering together to have fun in the past. These are the sights and sounds guests experienced in the early years of Sauder Village and the very same experiences our guests enjoy today! As we commemorate our 35th Anniversary this season, we’re celebrating Erie’s Dream… a dream that started so many years ago as he drew up plans for a museum on the back of a napkin. A dream that came to life as he moved buildings, hired employees and welcomed guests on that very first day back in 1976. A dream that continues today with many of those first employees and family members still involved at Sauder Village.

As we celebrate this special time in our history, we reflect on what makes Sauder Village such a remarkable destination… our continued commitment to history, hospitality, creativity and fun. While Erie may not have used those same words back in 1976, those thoughts were the cornerstone of his intention and vision for Sauder Village. Erie wanted to tell the history of the early settlers in this area so that future generations would never forget the struggles and determination of our ancestors. He wanted the Village to be easily accessible,comfortable and full-service, with each guest treated with the utmost in hospitality. He wanted visitors to be inspired by creativity and history in action and he wanted the experience to be friendly and fun for the whole family.

Through the years we have added new buildings, new activities and new faces (and yet some faces have been here since opening day!) We’ve added events, expanded our educational outreach, created regional partnerships and positioned Sauder Village as one of the top living-history destinations in the state of Ohio.

“Years ago we would sit around the dinner table listening to Erie share his dreams and plans about a place where he’d bring history to life and I was inspired to get involved,” recalls Carolyn Sauder, board member and Executive Director Emeritus. “It has been an honor to be a part of the Sauder Village team since the beginning and so exciting to watch the Village develop through the years. From the Inn expansion, Little Pioneers Homestead, and Natives and Newcomers to Pioneer Settlement and new special events - each new idea brings vitality to the Village.”

And yet with all that is new and improved, the key to our success has been staying true to what Erie started so many years ago. “We want our guests to know we’re just so glad they came,” Debbie Sauder David, Executive Director, recalls her grandfather sharing. “That same sentiment rings true today at Sauder Village.”

With the creation of a long range master plan in 2001, Sauder Village now has a road map for the development of the complex. “Our master plan has been an invaluable tool as we plan for the future,” Debbie added.

As we celebrate our 35th Anniversary, we’re pleased to realize how far we’ve come and yet how our mission has remained the same. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the tremendous growth that has taken place and offer a sincere thank you to those involved in our success. It has taken everyone – paid staff, volunteers, members, community supporters, vendors, and guests – to make Sauder Village one of the premiere living-history destinations in the Midwest! We look forward to what the next 35 years will bring – stay tuned!

Celebrate Memorial Day Weekend at Sauder Village

Memorial Day weekend historically marks the start of the summer vacation season. Families will be piling into minivans for a weekend get-away and Sauder Village is prepared to welcome guests from across the Midwest interested in making special memories together this holiday weekend.

Sauder Village is one of the time-honored family getaways in the Midwest. What was once thought of as a day-trip, however, has now become a multi-day destination. Families come to stay at the Inn or Campground, play in the pool, enjoy great food, and make special memories while visiting the Historic Village.

We hope you enjoy this short video clip that showcases the Sauder Village experience and will plan a visit soon to enjoy all we have to offer!

Memorial Day Weekend Details:
Historic Sauder Village will be open Saturday, Sunday and Monday for the holiday weekend. Hours are Saturday, May 28 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sunday from noon-4:00 p.m. and Monday, May 30 from 10:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.. Veterans and active military (with valid military ID) will receive free admission throughout the holiday weekend and on Sunday only, kids 16 and under receive free admission.

At the Barn Restaurant, a special Holiday Brunch will be served on Monday, May 30 from 10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. This brunch has become a family tradition in the community with great choices like made-to-order omelets, waffles, crepes and pancakes; pork loin, biscuits and gravy, Barn Chicken, home fries, fresh fruit, pastries and a chocolate fountain. With the personalized service and large selection, this holiday brunch is a great way to celebrate Memorial Day.

Our Country Get-away Package is an affordable way to enjoy an overnight stay, a meal at the Barn Restaurant and a visit to Historic Sauder Village. While the Campground is nearly booked for the Holiday Weekend, rooms are still available at the Sauder Heritage Inn. For more information about packages, to check availability or make a reservation, call 1-800-590-9755 or 419-446-2541.

Take time this Holiday Weekend to relax and enjoy time with family and friends by planning a fun-filled get-away to Sauder Village.

Civil War 150th Anniversary

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the start of the American Civil War. To help us remember that historic event, and to review the impact the war had on our country, state and local communities, Sauder Village will host a lecture series and open a new Civil War exhibit in the Museum Building.

April 12, 1861 is an important historical date that may not ring a bell for many of us today. At 4:30 that morning, a cannon ball was fired at the federal fort in Charleston Harbor, Fort Sumter, marking the beginning of the American Civil War. “Blood, Sweat and Tears: How the Civil War Touched Northwest Ohio,” is a new exhibit at Sauder Village. This special display will examine the national, regional and local impact of the war. The exhibit will explore the ways Ohioans participated in the war and what was happening on the home front. Guests can learn about what affect the war had on the lives of the women and children left at home and how families communicated with the soldiers and received news about the war.

“The Civil War touched each person’s life whether they served or not and affected their daily activities,” shared Tracie Evans, Curator of Collections at Sauder Village. “The soldier’s area of the exhibit will include an overview of the war, Ohio’s role, companies and regiments from Northwest Ohio and how soldiers made the decision to serve. The Homefront area will look closely at the role of women during the war, relief organizations, daily life, agriculture and dealing with loss.”

The Civil War exhibit in the Museum Building will open on Monday, May 16 with an Open House at 5:00 p.m. – before the start of a special Civil War lecture, “Blood, Tears and Glory: How Ohioans Won the Civil War.” This first lecture in the series will be presented by Dr. James Bissland at 7:30 p.m. at the Sauder Heritage Inn. Dr. Bissland is Associate Professor Emeritus of Journalism at Bowling Green State University and author of the book “Blood, Tears and Glory: How Ohioans Won the Civil War.” The lecture is free and open to the public.

A second lecture will be held on Monday, June 20th at 7:30 p.m. Steve Charter, Head and University Archivist for Archival Collections at Bowling Green State University, will present “Civil War on the Homefront.” Steve will focus on what was happening on the homefront, the economic, political and social climate during the Civil War. What happened while the fathers, sons, husbands and brothers were away? Who was left behind and how did they cope while offering “moral support” to their soldiers. Insight will be gleaned from diaries and letters.

Sauder Village is pleased to be working with the Ohio History Service Corps and a group of local museum and non-profit organizations from Fulton, Williams, Henry and Defiance counties to coordinate the Civil War and War of 1812 activities. For more information about the Civil War Exhibit and Lecture Series at Sauder Village visit: http://www.saudervillage.org/History/Civil_War_Remembrance.asp

For other Civil War events and activities throughout the region visit: http://www.ohiocivilwar150.org/

Sauder Village Open for 2011 Season!

Opening day at Historic Sauder Village is always a joyous occasion. After a long winter it's great to see the Village buzzing with activity . . . craftsmen at work in their shops, costumed guides sharing stories and guests of all ages having fun in the past.

Again this year we are pleased to kick-off the season with our annual Quilt Show. During the six-day Quilt Show both traditional and modern interpretations of quilts are represented. It has been an honor to showcase the talents of so many accomplished quilters for the past 35 years and we look forward to celebrating their fine craftsmanship for many years to come.

The Quilt Show runs through Sunday, May 1 in Founder's Hall. We hope you enjoy this short video clip featuring photos from this amazing exhibit and will make plans to join us.

Many Hands Make Light Work

If you think your spring cleaning projects seem exhausting, imagine trying to prepare more than 40 historic homes and shops for guests visiting from around the world! Sound like a daunting task? That’s why we so appreciate the help of volunteers! Today nearly 30 students from Pettisville High School are at the Village as part of a community service project. The Pettisville High School seniors are volunteering in the Village as a way to give back to the community before they graduate. Students have been raking and pruning, mudding the Lauber Shelter in Pioneer Settlement and washing windows and porches on historic buildings. Other groups of students are dusting, bagging candy and pricing new merchandise in Lauber’s General Store. As a non-profit organization, we truly appreciate the nearly 160 hours of service these hard-working students have contributed to Sauder Village. Thank you! Interested in getting involved? If your organization is looking to give back to the community we hope you’ll consider getting involved at Sauder Village. Projects will vary depending on the group size and time of the year, but we’d love to have you give us a call to discuss the opportunities! Please contact Kris Jemmott at 419.446.2541 to see how you can help make a difference at Sauder Village.

Opening Day Two Months Away!

With the sun shining here in NW Ohio, thoughts soon turn to opening day at the Historic Village. After a long winter we're always excited to welcome back our many employees and volunteers who work in the historic homes, shops and craft buildings. We also look forward to many spring field trips with students from the tri-state area visiting our living-history village as well as the start of the summer travel season - bringing families from throughout the Midwest (and around the world!) to Sauder Village.

Are you currently making plans for your summer vacation? We hope you'll consider joining us often throughout the season! A Sauder Village membership is an affordable way to enjoy fun and educational experiences all year long! You'll also be helping support our non-profit organization. Visit our Membership page for more details: http://saudervillage.org/Membership_Support/membership.asp

To help with planning your visit be sure to visit the events page on our website. We have a great schedule of special events planned for 2011 with something to interest almost everyone! http://saudervillage.org/Creativity/events.asp

We certainly hope you'll extend your stay at Sauder Village and in Ohio! Enjoy an overnight stay at the Heritage Inn or Campground and visit some other great attractions in Archbold, Northwest Ohio and throughout the Buckeye State. There are many other great resources to help you plan your visit and discover new vacation ideas. We hope some of these websites help. Happy travels. We look forward to seeing you soon!

Helpful Travel Websites for planning an Ohio vacation . . .

Ohio Department of Travel & Tourism: http://consumer.discoverohio.com/

Ohio Dept. of Travel & Tourism blog: http://discoveringohio.com/

Toledo Visitors Bureau: http://www.dotoledo.org/gtcvb/

Archbold Chamber of Commerce: http://www.archbold.com/

Do you have some other suggestions? Please post a comment with links to travel websites you've found helpful!

Pretzels, Jellies & Hot Cross Buns

Get a Taste of History at Sauder Village!

While historic cooking demonstrations and hands-on opportunities to make butter, ice-cream and noodles are an important part of the living-history experience at Sauder Village, in 2011 there will be even more occasions for guests to learn traditional cooking skills. The “Taste of History” food classes at Sauder Village will provide class participants the chance to make home-made pretzels, Hot Cross Buns, jams and jellies.

“We’re thrilled to be adding so many unique food classes to our Class Schedule,” shared Andi Erbskorn, Curator of Education. “There seems to be an increased interest in getting back to the basics with cooking and people are really interested in learning to make some traditional recipes and enjoy hearing the stories that go along with them.”

One of the new classes being offered this spring is “Do the Twist! Pretzel Making and History for Families.” Pretzels were rewards for good students, hidden like Easter Eggs, used in marriage ceremonies and served as treats on special occasions. In this fun-filled class, children and their adults will work together to mix dough, form pretzels in traditional shapes and bake them to enjoy together at the end of the class and take some home. The class will be held on Saturday, March 26 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. and the fee is $12.00 plus a $5.00 supply fee.

While many people may sing along to “Hot Cross Buns,” few know much about the history of this traditional food. In the class “Hot Cross Buns and Easter Breads,” participants can try baking these delicious, traditional breads from scratch. Each class participant will take home round braided Italian Easter bread with colored eggs entwined in the braids, a lemony Ukrainian Easter Bread and Hot Cross Buns. European bread making traditions and stories will also be shared during the class. This hands-on class will be held on Saturday, April 16 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. The class fee is $20.00 with a $9.00 supply fee.

Finally, Sauder Village staff will be offering a “Jams and Jellies” class this spring. On Tuesday, May 17 from 6:00-9:00 p.m. students will make three different jams and jellies using cooked and frozen methods of preparation. Each person will take home three jars of jam and jelly made by the class that evening. The fee for this class is $18.00 with a $10.00 supply fee.

In addition to the “Taste of History” food classes, Sauder Village is also offering classes in quilting, blacksmithing, finger weaving and knitting. The spring schedule also includes classes about tea, wreath-making, brooms, felted bags and rug hooking.

All Sauder Village classes require pre-registration and pre-payment. Class descriptions and registration information is available online at http://saudervillage.org/Creativity/classschedule.aspSpecial rates are available for Sauder Village members. Registration can be completed on the secure Sauder Village website or by calling 800.590.9755 or 419.446.2541.

Take time to learn something new this year! Experience a taste of history, explore a heritage craft or plan a fun-filled get-away with your family this summer. Enjoy all that Sauder Village has to offer - Ohio’s largest living history destination right here in Northwest Ohio!

Meet the People - a New Feature for 2011

Since our Historic Village is closed for the cold and snowy winter, we thought it might be fun to "meet some people from the past" on our blog. These short articles will provide a more in-depth look at some of the people who lived in Northwest Ohio in the early 1800s. We hope you enjoy the articles and will make plans to join us in the spring to experience the lives of these pioneers at Historic Sauder Village.

And now, let's meet our first pioneer . . .
Anna Sauder Witmer-Roth

By 1844, Wayne County, Ohio was a settled area with several well-established Amish communities, but newlyweds Anna and Peter Witmer chose to leave their comfortable life there and travel to the frontier. Anna’s father, Henry Souder (Sauder) had purchased land in Cedar Creek Township, Allen County, Indiana in 1837 and it was to this property that the Witmers moved.

Cedar Creek Township’s first permanent settler had arrived in 1834. By the time Anna and Peter reached the area in 1844 there was a store, a school and the first road had been surveyed. They made their journey while Anna was pregnant and in November their first child, Barbara, was born. By then Peter had built them a log house with one large main floor room where most of the family’s living was done. A lower level contained the kitchen/eating space. However, there was no interior connection between these two levels, so Anna had to go outside in all weather when traveling from the living area to the kitchen. The loft over the main room would have been used for "cold" sleeping, as there was no heat.

Anna and Peter prospered on the frontier. The 1850 Agricultural Census reports Peter owning 160 acres of land, raising wheat, Indian corn and oats and owning a team of horses and a team of oxen. In that same year their daughter, Ann, was born giving them three sons and three daughters. And then on August 5, 1851 tragedy struck. Peter died suddenly and Anna was left a widow with six children under the age of seven and a farm to run.

At this time in history, women who were widowed frequently fell into dire straits. They were often unable to keep their family together and lost everything. However, Anna was fortunate. Within a year, she married Benedict Roth. Benedict was a good provider and the farm continued to prosper. Together they would raise Anna’s six children from her first marriage and have nine of their own.

Anna’s youngest son Henry remembered how hard his mother worked to make a good life for her family. She had an outdoor bake oven and would bake as many as 15 loaves of bread at a time, as well as pies and cakes. Anna was also a spinner. She spun and plied wool from the family sheep. In the cold winter months she would knit mittens and other clothing for her family.

Anna lived a remarkable life. She made the long trip to unsettled Cedar Creek Township and worked hard to raise 15 children. She saw many changes in her lifetime. Anna lived to be nearly 80 years old. When she died, in 1904, she was one of the oldest original settlers of Cedar Creek Township. She was survived by 12 of her 15 children, 83 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren. Many of her descendants today still remember her from shared stories and family histories.

Pictures: Anna Sauder Witmer-Roth with her granddaughter Emma. Also, the Witmer-Roth home, which guests can visit at Pioneer Settlement.

Video: This short video clip shows photos of the restored Witmer-Roth home, an outdoor bake oven and garden where costumed guides share Anna Sauder Witmer-Roth's story. Have you visited the Witmer-Roth home at Pioneer Settlement yet? What are your thoughts about this home and the new addition to Sauder Village? Can you imagine raising 15 children in that small home? If you haven't visited Pioneer Settlement yet, we hope you will join us this season to walk through this home and experience the daily lives of the early pioneers.